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Sending film back to U.S. from Europe?


piblondin

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I've sent parcels to canada from Europe and they take a long time to arrive (weeks). I would imagine that parcels to the U.S. (and elsewhere) will be x-rayed at "checked luggage" strength and therefore your film may (will) be fogged.

 

If you know your itinerary you may be able to find local labs to process the film and then you could safely send it home by post. This would also allow you to check the film to make sure that your camera is working correctly.

 

Otherwise, I'd use the slowest film required and keep it in my carry-on luggage i.e. cabin luggage.

 

Mike.

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I sent Kodachrome by post to the US for years, never had a fogged film!

 

I also bought a couple of boxes of film from Germany, sent to me by parcel post, again no problems.

 

Probably best to send a small batch at a time, say 6 rolls in a jiffy bag. Alternatively get a batch of rolls processed and scanned, post the developed negs home and keep the CD's with you as 'back up'.

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I would not send it as for the loss possibility.

It is easy enough, to take the film bag in the carry on luggage and demand hand checking.

So far, I have never been refused a hand checking at German Airports.

Quite the opposite happens usually and people ask "Somebody is still using this?"

 

Always be nice, smile, remove the film from your bag within a clear plastic Ziploc bag, to be easily identified and hand it to the security personal, asking for hand checking.

It is best, to put inside some high ISO film (3200/6400), to prevent discussions ("Mr. these machines are safe, only film over 3200 can be handchecked… bla, bla, bla.").

 

Stay firm, but polite - every Airport has the facilities, to do the hand checking (chemical check for explosives in a special machine), it is just more work for the personnel.

 

The most pesky experience has been on a business flight with stop in Istanbul/Turkey last year.

It took more discussion and nerves, to allow me the hand checking, than the person actually looking into the bag of 20 rolls fresh, unexposed film - stay firm and give the clear impression of clogging up their checking queue, if stubborn is, what you get (very unlikely). A hand checking will be granted to you.

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If you are just taking a trip for a couple weeks, I'd just bring the film back in your carry on luggage. That's what I've done the past couple times to Europe and Japan. No fogging to worry about even with the high speed films in my experience.

 

If you are going to be there longer and want to send your film back in batches, you might want to look into some sort of Priority Mail or Fedex equivalent.

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